Bowling pinspotting machine



May 2, 1967 J JARK ET AL 3,317,207

BOWLING PINSPOTTING MACHINE Filed A ril 14, 1964 6' Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY ay 2, 1967 F. J. JARK ET AL 3,317,207

BOWLING PINSPOTTING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS FRED JOHN J ARK JAMES D. ELLIOTT BY THOMAS W. EDWARDS ATTORNEY May 2, 1967 J JARK ET AL 3,317,207

BOWLING PINSPOTTING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1964 6 SheetsSheet 5 INVENTORS FRED JOHN JARK AMES D. ELLIOTT %BY THOMAS W. EDWARDS ATTORNEY May 2, 1967 J, JARK ET AL 3,317,207

BOWLING PINSPOTTING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 5

INVENTORS FRED JOHN JARK JAMES D. ELLIOTT By THOMAS w. EDWARDS ATTORNEY May 2, 1967 F JARK ET AL BOWLING PINSPOTTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 14, 1964 INVENTORS FRED JOHN JARK JAMES B. ELLIOTT BY THOMAS w. EDWARDS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,317,207 BOWLING PINSPOTTING MACHINE Fred John Jark, Blauvelt, N.Y., James D. Elliott, Riverside, Conn., and Thomas W. Edwards, Oradell, N.J., as-

signors to American Machine & Foundry Company, a

corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 359,607 2 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to bowling apparatus and particularly to bowling pin spotting mechanisms especially useful for spotting candlepins.

One object of the invention is to provide, in a bowling pin spotting machine, improved means for guiding and handling the pins preparatory to the spotting operation.

Another object is to provide a bowling pin spotting machine with an improved spotting table.

Yet another object is to device improved pin retaining and pin releasing means especially useful for candlepin spotting machines.

A still further object is to provide, in a bowling pin spotting machine, novel and particularly effective mechanism for supporting and driving the spotting table in such fashion that the table is maintained in horizontal position throughout its entire travel from a raised position downwardly to a lowered, spotting position and then upwardly again to the raised position.

In order that the manner in which the foregoing and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention can be understood in detail, one particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation, with some parts shown in vertical elevation and others broken away for clarity of illustration, of a candlepin spotting machine constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan elevational view of a portion of the machine of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the machine, taken generally on line 33, FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary detailed view illustrating in side elevation the control cams employed in the machine of FIGURE 1 and taken on line 4-4, FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view, with some parts shown in vertical section and others broken away for clarity, of the pin guiding and pin spotting tables employed in the machine of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan elevational view of the pin spotting table, taken generally on line 6-6, FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, with some parts shown in side elevation, taken generally on line 77, FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view, with some parts shown in vertical section, illustrating the positions of various elements of the actuating mechanism for the spotting table and the sweep when the table is in its raised position and the sweep is in its guard position, as seen in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIGURE 8, but illustrating the parts in the positions occupied when both the spotting table and the sweep are in raised positions;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary View, similar to FIGURE 8, but illustrating the parts in the positions occupied when the spotting table is in its lowered position adjacent the alley bed and the sweep is being returned upwardly after a sweeping operation; and

FIGURE 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical control system of the machine of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the candlepin spotting machine illustrated comprises a table R for receiving and guiding the candlepins, a vertically reciprocating pin spotting table T, and an alley sweep mechanism indicated generally at S. The pins C are removed and conveyed from the pit P by means of a continuously rotating pin elevator E which delivers the pins sequentially to the pin distributor indicated generally at D. The distributor D is operative to deposit the pins one by one, with each pin being delivered into a different one of the receiving and guiding funnels 20 of the pin receiving and guiding table R, the funnels 20'being arranged in triangular fashion, as seen in FIGURE 2, so that the position of each funnel corresponds at least generally to the playing position for a different one of the ten candlepins to be spotted.

Table R includes a flat, triangular frame plate 22 formed, for example, of rigid sheet metal. Frame plate 22 is rigidly mounted on main frame members 28 and 30 by brackets 24 and 26, respectively, the members 28 and 30 forming a portion of the main supporting frame F mounted on the kickbacks K which project upwardly from each side of the alley bed A.

As will be clear from FIGURES 2 and 5, frame plate 22 is provided with ten circular openings and each of the funnels 20 is associated with a different one of these openings. Each funnel 20 is an integral molded body of rubber or other elastomeric material and includes a lower tip portion having an outer surface of reduced cylindrical form so that the lower tip portion can be accommodated within one of the openings in frame plate 22, as seen in FIGURE 5. The funnels 20 are fixed to the frame plate, as by means of embedded mounting lugs and bolts. Funnels 20 are identical, each having an upwardly and outwardly tapering frusto-conical inner surface which serves to receive and guide the pins, the smallest diameter of the frusto-conical surface being suflicient to pass the bowling pins to be handled.

The stationary receiving and guiding funnels 20 serve to guide the bowling pins in the downward travel of the pins into the pin spotting cups 32 carried by the vertically movable spotting table T. As seen in FIGURES 5 and 6, table T includes a fiat frame plate 34, formed of rigid sheet metal or other suitable material, plate 34 being of generally triangular configuration and having upwardly projecting side flanges for stiffening purposes. Plate 34- is formed with a plurality of circular openings 72, FIG- URE 7, which are spaced apart in a triangular arrangement corresponding to the triangular spacing of the funnels 20 so that, when the table T is aligned with the table R and disposed immediately therebelow, the respective openings 72 and spotting cups 32 will be aligned beneath the corresponding funnels 20.

All of the cups 32 are identical and, as seen in FIGURE 7, each cup 32 is in the form of an integral molded e1ongated tubular body of rubber or other elastomeric material. Each cup is fixed to frame plate 34, as by screws and embedded mounting nuts, as seen in FIGURE -7, all of the cup projecting upwardly from the upper side of the frame plate. For each cup 32, the bottom end of the through bore of the cup is spaced slightly above the upper surface of frame plate 34. At their upper ends, cups 32 are flared outwardly and a sheet metal or other suitable insert 150 is provided in the top of each cup to protect the same against wear. The internal diameter of each cup 32 is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the candlepin C to be accommodated thereby and the height of each cup is slightly more than half the height of the table T. At its upper of the candlepin.

Two generally T-shaped, upright brackets 36 are secured to frame plate 34 and project upwardly therefrom, each of the brackets 36 being disposed at a different side end, each bracket 36 is provided with two horizontally extending pivot studs 38 and 40, these studs defining horizontal pivotal axes which are spaced apart horizontally in a direction extending from front to back of the machine. At each side of the table T, the studs 38 and 40 serve as pivotal connections for the lower ends of two parallel links 42 and 58, respectively, as seen in FIGURE 5. The remaining end of link 42 is pivotally connected to an intermediate pivot plate 46 by studs 44. Link 58 is pivotally connected to plate 46 by stud 50. A third stud 48 on plate 46 provides a pivotal connection for the upper end of the link 52, the other end of link 52 being pivoted to a fixed stud 54 supported by a suitable plate 56, FIGURE 1, secured to the frame structure F of the machine. Stud 50 on plate 46 also serves as a pivotal connection for the upper end of a link 68, the remaining end of link 68 being fixed to a rock shaft 70 which extends horizontally, transversely of the machine adjacent the rear end of table T when the spotting table is in its raised position, seen in FIGURE 1.

Accordingly, link 68 serves as the power input member of a parallelogram linkage formed by links 42, 58, 52 and 68. When rock shaft 70 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, as view in FIGURE 1, the parallelogram linkage serves to lower table T from its raised position, seen in FIGURE 1, to a lowered, pin-spotting position, adjacent the alley bed A, this position being indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. On the other hand, rotation of rock shaft 70 in a clockwise direction will be effective to raise table T from its lowered position to the raised position illustrated in full lines in FIGURE 1, with the table then immediately below guiding table R. In addition to driving the spotting table T, the parallelogram linkage just described assures that the table T will remain horizontal at all times during its vertical movement.

Operatively associated with the bottom end of each spotting cup 32 is a flat closure and pin-supporting member 74, FIGURES -7. Closure members 74 are relatively thin and plate-like, so as to be capable of freely entering and leaving the space between the lower end of the corresponding cup 32 and the upper surface of frame plate 34. The closure member 74 associated with the cup 32 which is disposed generally at the center of table T is carried by the longer arm 78 of a lever supported by stud 86 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. This lever also includes a shorter arm 88 to the end of which is pivotally connected one end of an operating lin-k 122, the other end of link 122 being pivoted to the upper end of an operating arm 126, FIGURE 5, the lower end of arm 126 being pivoted to a bracket 130 which is rigidly attached to the upper surface of frame plate 34.

The remaining nine closure members 74 are arranged in groups of three, indicated generally at G1, G2 and G3. Each closure member 74 of group G1 is attached to the end of a different arm 78 of a spider 80, the spider being pivoted at its center by means of a vertical stud 90. Similarly, each of the three closure members 74 of group G2 is attached to the end of a different arm of spider 82, this spider being mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis defined by stud 92. Finally, each of the three closure members 74 of group G3 is attached to the free end of a different arm of spider 84 pivoted on vertical stud 94. The st t lds 86, 90, 92 and 94 are all maintained in upright position by suitable flanges 96 attached to the upper surface of plate 34. Integral with the lever comprising arms 78 and 88 is an operating arm 98. Spiders 84 and 82 are provided with operating arms 106 and 110, respectively. An actuating link 102 has its ends pivoted respectively to arms 106 and 110 and is pivoted at 100, intermediate its ends, to arm 98. Accordingly, when the lever comprising arms 78 and 88 is pivoted about stud 86 to swing the corresponding one of the closure members 74, the same swinging movement is simultaneously applied to spiders 82 and 84 so that the closure members 74 associated with those spiders are also moved simultaneously. Spider 82 is also provided with an ope ating arm 1.

while spider is provided with an operating arm 120. An operating link 116 has its ends respectively pivoted to arms 112 and 120. Accordingly, whenever spider 82 is pivoted, the same pivotal motion is imparted to spider 80.

Whenever operating arm 126 is swung to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 5, all of the closure members 74 are simultaneously swung horizontally until they reach positions respectively beneath the corresponding ones of cups 32. Pivotal movement of arm 126 to the right, as viewed in FIGURE 5, causes all of the closure members 74 to be swung horizontally in the opposite direction and withdrawn from beneath the cups 32, so that pins previously retained in cups 32 will be released downwardly onto the pin deck.

As seen in FIGURE 7, the flat closure members 74 are each spaced from the lever arm which carries them by a block 76 of rubber or equivalent material, so that the closure member is supported resiliently and any shock imparted by arrivel of the pin in the corresponding cup 32 is absorbed by the block 76.

At its upper end, link 58 is provided with an extension 60 which projects beyond pivot stud 50. To the free end of extension 60 there is pivotally connected, as by stud 62, the upper end of a link 64.

To stud 124, at the upper end of control arm 126, there is also pivotally connected one end of a piston rod 132. The opposite end of rod 132 is integral with a piston 134, FIGURE 9, the piston being slidable within a cylinder 136. At its upper end, cylinder 136 is closed by a plug 138 carried by eye bolt 140 which, in turn, is pivotally mounted on and suspended from a horizontal stud 142 carried by a suitable bracket 144 secured to the front frame member 30. At its lower end, from which piston rod 132 emerges, cylinder 136 is provided with an adjustable threaded bushing 146, FIGURE 5 which projects from the end of the cylinder. Surrounding the piston rod 132, and confined between bushing 146 and an enlargement at the end of piston rod 132, is a compression spring 148, seen in FIGURES 5 and 6.

When spotting table T occupies its raised position, seen in solid lines in FIGURE 1, spring 148 is compressed and biases piston rod 132, and operating arm 126, to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 5, so that operating arm 126 is held in a position causing all of the closure members 74 to be disposed beneath the corresponding cups 32. Accordingly, as pins are delivered through funnels 20 into cups 32, while table T is in its raised position, the pins are arrested by closure mem bers 74 and retained in upright position within clips 32, as indicated in broken lines in FIGURE 7. Since the weight of the pins, applied to closure member 74, and the frictional drag of the linkages, provides sufficient resistance to prevent any casual movement of control arm 126, the latter remains in its left-hand position during downward movement of the table T. During such movement, piston 134 slides freely within cylinder 136, so that the combined length of the cylinder and piston rod 132 is increased as the table descends. However, shortly before table T reaches its lowermost position, adjacent the alley bed, piston 134 engages and is arrested by the inner end of bushing 146. When this occurs, further descent of the table T causes control arm 126 to be pulled to the right, as viewed in FIGURE 5, by the nowarrested piston rod 132. Movement of arm 126 then causes all of the closure members 74 to be withdrawn simultaneously from beneath the cups 32, so that the pins C are simultaneously released onto the alley bed A to stand in their spotted positions as seen in FIGURE 1.

When, after spotting of the pins C, table T is moved upwardly, control arm 126 remains in its extreme righthand position, as viewed in FIGURE 5, and closure members 74' consequently remain in their open or retracted positions, allowing the spotted pins C to remain on the alley bed without being disturbed by withdrawal of the spotting table. As table T continues upwardly,

piston rod 132 and piston 134 offer no resistance, piston 134 sliding freely upwardly within cylinder 136. Control arm 126 accordingly remains in its extreme righthand position until, shortly before table T reaches its raised position, the compression spring 148 engages the outer end of bushing 146, after which the compression spring resists further movement of the piston upwardly Within cylinder 136. Continued upward movement of table T then is accompanied by progressively increasing compression of spring 148, and control arm 126 is pivoted to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 5, again causing closure members 74 to be swung into their closed positions beneath the respective cups 32. With table T in its fully raised position, and with all of closure members 74 now disposed beneath the lower ends of cups 32, the spotting table is again ready to receive a new set of pins, supplied via funnels 20.

Rock shaft 70 is oscillated by an arm 152 which is fixed to and projects radially from the rock shaft. The free end of arm 152 is connected, via an adjustable link 154, to a crank pin 156 fixed to crank arm 158. Crank arm 158 is secured to a horizontal drive shaft 160 which constitutes the output or driven member of a great reduction unit 162 driven by electric motor 164. Motor 164 is so controlled as to effect one revolution of shaft 160, and therefore one revolution of crank arm 158, per cycle of the pin spotting machine. Since each revolution of shaft 160 results in one complete cycle of oscillation of rock shaft 70, each revolution of drive shaft 160- therefore causes spotting table T to be driven from its raised position to its fully lowered position, for pin spotting, and then driven upwardly again to the fully raised position seen in full lines in FIGURE 1.

Also keyed to the crank pin 156 is a sweep actuating cam 166, best seen in FIGURES 8-10. Cam 166 provides a cam track 168 with which is operatively associated a cam roller 170 pivotally carried by the free end of a cam lever 172 mounted on one end of a horizontal shaft 174. Shaft 174 is rotatably supported in suitable bearings 176, FIGURE 2, secured to front frame member 30. A lever 178 is fixed to the other end of shaft 174 and, by means of rod 180, is connected to an arm 182 welded to one end of a hollow transverse shaft 184. Shaft 184 is rotatably supported in suitable bearings 186 secured to front frame member 30. Another arm 188, identical with arm 182, is fixed to the other end of shaft 184. Arms 182 and 188 are linked, by connecting rods 190, to sweep actuating arms 192 each of which is fastened to and supported by a stud shaft 194, FIGURES l and 2. Each stud shaft 194 is rotably mounted in a pair of spaced bearings 196 secured to frame members on each side of the machine, as seen in FIGURE 1.

The lower end of each sweep actuating arm 192 is bifurcated and carries a stud 198, a sweep arm 200 being connected to each stub 198. The sweep arms 200 project downwardly and, at their lower ends, support the transversely extending sweep board 202 which may be provided with a pair of casters or rollers 204. The upper end of each sweep arm 200 includes an extension 206 which projects beneath the lower end portion of the respective sweep arm 192. Extensions 206, in conjunction with the pivoted connections of sweep arms 200, permit arm 192 to raise the sweep arms from the alley bed to support the sweep in its upper position, seen in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. Each extension 206 carries a stop screw 208 which may be used to adjust the position of the sweep arm 200 relative to its respective actuating arm 192.

In this embodiment of the invention, only a single drive motor is required to properly actuate and drive both the spotting table and the sweep mechanism, this being achieved by rotating the sweep drive shaft 174 in a nonlinear relation to rotation of the table drive shaft 160.

The pin distributor D can be constructed generally in accordance with United States Patent 2,767,984, issued Oct. 23, 1956, to John Zuercher. Distributor D is continuously driven by an electric motor 216 which, through suitable pulleys and belts, also drives the rotating pin elevator E as well as the pit conveyor belt 218. Distributor D is supported at one end by a swivel member 220, while the front end of the distributor, with its indexing means 221, is engaged with a heart-shaped track 222 mounted above the pin-receiving funnel 20 and supported by suitable brackets 224 secured to frame plate 22. Track 222 is provided with a plurality of stop pins 226 which arrest the front end of the distributor when the latter is in line respectively with the guide funnels 20, so that a pin can then be delivered to the guide funnel. During delivery to funnel 20, the pin passes over a trip actuating mechanism 228, FIGURES l and 2, which causes the distributor to advance to a delivery position adjacent the next empty guide funnel. To prevent the candlepins C from pitch poling while being delivered from the distributor to the funnels 20, the front end of the distributor is provided with a generally U-shaped guide or guard plate 230, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Drive motor 164 is controlled by a timing cam 210, FIGURE 11, which is fixed to drive shaft and, through actuating arm 212, operates a suitable snap switch 214. 'In addition, the control means includes a pin-responsive switch 240 and a manually operated starting switch 242. As seen in FIGURE 11, motor 164 is connected to be energized from the supply lines via the series combination of switches 240 and 242, on the one hand, or via switch 214, on the other hand.

Switch 240 is mounted on the one of guide funnels 20 which is to receive the last-delivered pin C of each set, the switch being arranged as seen in FIGURE 2. Switch 240 is normally open, being closed only when the pin C is delivered to the guide funnel by distributor D. At this time, table T is in its raised position, so that the pins C are supported by closure members 74 and project upwardly through funnels 20. Accordingly, switch 240 remains closed. Cam 210 is so oriented that its high point 246 engages follower 244, so that arm 212 holds switch 214 open. Switches 214 and 242 both being open, motor 164 is not energized, and the parts remain in the positions just described, preparatory to play. To commence operation, the operator or player closes manual switch 242, so that motor 164'is supplied with current and shaft 160 commences rotation. High point 246 of cam 210 leaves follower 244, allowing arm 212 (biased to the left as viewed in FIGURE 11) to close switch 214. Motor 164 is now supplied with current via switch 214, so that operation of motor 164 continues despite the fact that switch 242 is released and returns to its open position. Operation of the motor continues for one full revolution of shaft 160. At the end of one revolution of shaft 160, high point 246 of cam 210 again engages follower 244, causing arm 212 to open switch 214 and deenergize the motor.

Though one particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a candlepin spotting machine, the combination of a plurality of open, upwardly and outwardly flaring guide funnels; means fixedly supporting said funnels in an elevated position with the longitudinal axes of said funnels extending upwardly, said funnels being spaced apart horizontally in a triangular assembly in which the position of each funnel corresponds to the playing position to be occupied by a different one of the candlepins to be spotted; a spotting table disposed beneath said funnels and including ten open-ended tubular pin receiving cups, horizontal frame means fixedly supporting said cups in upright position, said cups being spaced apart horizontally in a triangular assembly with each of said cups aligned below a different one of said funnels, and a plurality of closure members each operatively associated with a different one of said cups, each of said closure members being mounted for horizontal movement between a first position, in which said closure member blocks the bottom end of the corresponding one of said cups, and a second position, in which such closure member is horizontally displaced from such cup to free the cup for passage of a candlepin downwardly therefrom; power means; drive linkage means interconnecting said power means and said spotting table to drive said table vertically between a raised position, in which the open tops of said cups are disposed respectively beneath the bottoms of said tunnels, and a lowered position, in which said cups are disposed above the alley bed, said drive linkage being operative to maintain said spotting table horizontal throughout its movement between said raised and lowered positions; pin delivery means operatively arranged to supply candlepins downwardly into said funnels when said spotting table occupies said raised position; actuating means operatively connected to said closure members to actuate the same between said first and second positions, said actuating means being operative to maintain said closure members in said first position while said spotting tab-1e is in its raised position and to actuate said closure members simultaneously to said second position in response to downward movement of said spotting table into its lowered position, said actuating means comprising four pivot members mounted on said frame means and each defining an upright pivotal axis, three of said pivot members each being centered with respect to a different group of three of said cups, three spider members each mounted on a different one of said pivot members for pivotal movement about the pivotal axis defined thereby, each of said spider members having three arms extending radially from the corresponding one of said pivotal axes, each of said arms supporting a different one of said closure members, a lever member mounted on the fourth one of said pivot members and carrying one of said closure members, a control member pivotally mounted on said frame means, link means operatively connecting said control member to said spider members and said lever member, and means for pivoting said control member to simultaneously actuate said spider members and said lever member for simultaneous movement of said closure members.

2. In a bowling pin spotting machine, the combination of frame means; :a pin spotting table; first linkage means mounted on said frame means and operatively connected to said spotting table to support and move said table between a raised, pin-receiving position and a lowered, pin-discharging position, said first linkage means including a first pivoted arm and being operative to lower said table when said first arm is pivoted in one direction and to raise said table when said first arm is pivoted in the opposite direction; sweep means; second linkage means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said sweep means to move the same from a raised inactive position downwardly through a sweeping cycle and then upwardly to said inactive position, said second linkage means including a second pivoted arm and being operative to lower said sweep means and move the same rearwardly over the alley when said second arm is pivoted in one direction and to move said sweep means forwardly over the alley and then raise the same when said second arm is pivoted in the opposite direction; a single drive shaft rotatably mounted on said frame means; power means connected to said shaft to rotate the same; motion transfer means connecting both said first pivoted arm and said second pivoted arm to said drive shaft in such fashion that both of said arms are pivoted first in said one direction and then in said opposite direction during each revolution of said drive shaft, said motion transfer means comprising a crank arm fixed to said drive shaft, a link operatively interconnecting said first pivoted arm and said crank arm, a cam arm fixed to said drive shaft and including a cam track extending generally radially relative to said drive shaft, a crank lever mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said drive shaft and located intermediate the ends of said crank lever, a cam follower carried by one end of said crank lever and operatively engaged with said cam track, and a link operatively interconnecting saidsecond pivoted arm and the other end of said crank lever.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,437,842 12/1922 Hedenskoog 273-42 1,524,241 1/1925 Hedenskoog 273-43 2,930,616 3/ 1960 Holloway et a1. 27 3-43 2,973,204 2/1961 Huck et a1. 273-43 2,991,078 7/1961 Hedenskoog et al 273-43 3,086,017 3/1963 Bilowz 273-43 3,193,290 7/ 1965 Dowd et al. 273-43 3,228,685 1/1966 Pullen et a1 273-43 ANTON O. OEOHSLE, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Examiner. 

1. IN A CANDLEPIN SPOTTING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF A PLURALITY OF OPEN, UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY FLARING GUIDE FUNNELS; MEANS FIXEDLY SUPPORTING SAID FUNNELS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXES OF SAID FUNNELS EXTENDING UPWARDLY, SAID FUNNELS BEING SPACED APART HORIZONTALLY IN A TRIANGULAR ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE POSITION OF EACH FUNNEL CORRESPONDS TO THE PLAYING POSITION TO BE OCCUPIED BY A DIFFERENT ONE OF THE CANDLEPINS TO BE SPOTTED; A SPOTTING TABLE DISPOSED BENEATH SAID FUNNELS AND INCLUDING TEN OPEN-ENDED TUBULAR PIN RECEIVING CUPS, HORIZONTAL FRAME MEANS FIXEDLY SUPPORTING SAID CUPS IN UPRIGHT POSITION, SAID CUPS BEING SPACED APART HORIZONTALLY IN A TRIANGULAR ASSEMBLY WITH EACH OF SAID CUPS ALIGNED BELOW A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID FUNNELS, AND A PLURALITY OF CLOSURE MEMBERS EACH OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID CUPS, EACH OF SAID CLOSURE MEMBERS BEING MOUNTED FOR HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION, IN WHICH SAID CLOSURE MEMBER BLOCKS THE BOTTOM END OF THE CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID CUPS, AND A SECOND POSITION, IN WHICH SUCH CLOSURE MEMBER IS HORIZONTALLY DISPLACED FROM SUCH CUP TO FREE THE CUP FOR PASSAGE OF A CANDLEPIN DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM; POWER MEANS; DRIVE LINKAGE MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID POWER MEANS AND SAID SPOTTING TABLE TO DRIVE SAID TABLE VERTICALLY BETWEEN A RAISED POSITION, IN WHICH THE OPEN TOPS OF SAID CUPS ARE DISPOSED RESPECTIVELY BENEATH THE BOTTOMS OF SAID FUNNELS, AND A LOWERED POSITION, IN WHICH SAID CUPS ARE DISPOSED ABOVE THE ALLEY BED, SAID DRIVE LINKAGE BEING OPERATIVE TO MAINTAIN SAID SPOTTING TABLE HORIZONTAL THROUGHOUT ITS MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID RAISED AND LOWERED POSITIONS; PIN DELIVERY MEANS OPERATIVELY ARRANGED TO SUPPLY CANDLEPINS DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID FUNNELS WHEN SAID SPOTTING TABLE OCCUPIES SAID RAISED POSITION; ACTUATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CLOSURE MEMBERS TO ACTUATE THE SAME BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, SAID ACTUATING MEANS BEING OPERATIVE TO MAINTAIN SAID CLOSURE MEMBERS IN SAID FIRST POSITION WHILE SAID SPOTTING TABLE IS IN ITS RAISED POSITION AND TO ACTUATE SAID CLOSURE MEMBERS SIMULTANEOUSLY TO SAID SECOND POSITION IN RESPONSE TO DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID SPOTTING TABLE INTO ITS LOWERED POSITION, SAID ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING FOUR PIVOT MEMBERS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME MEANS AND EACH DEFINING AN UPRIGHT PIVOTAL AXIS, THREE OF SAID PIVOT MEMBERS EACH BEING CENTERED WITH RESPECT TO A DIFFERENT GROUP OF THREE OF SAID CUPS, THREE SPIDER MEMBERS EACH MOUNTED ON A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID PIVOT MEMBERS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT THE PIVOTAL AXIS DEFINED THEREBY, EACH OF SAID SPIDER MEMBERS HAVING THREE ARMS EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM THE CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID PIVOTAL AXES, EACH OF SAID ARMS SUPPORTING A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID CLOSURE MEMBERS, A LEVER MEMBER MOUNTED ON THE FOURTH ONE OF SAID PIVOT MEMBERS AND CARRYING ONE OF SAID CLOSURE MEMBERS, A CONTROL MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME MEANS, LINK MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO SAID SPIDER MEMBERS AND SAID LEVER MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR PIVOTING SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO SIMULTANEOUSLY ACTUATE SAID SPIDER MEMBERS AND SAID LEVER MEMBER FOR SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT OF SAID CLOSURE MEMBERS. 